Golazzo USA!

Well you can't argue with an old-fashioned 4-0 thrashing can you?

USA (2)4 - El Salvador (0)0
Game Recap

Gold Cup action continued today for the Stars-and-Stripes as they finished out group play against El Salvador. Although the team had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals this coming weekend, Coach Bob Bradley sent out a strong starting eleven in a 4-3-3 formation. Pablo Mastroeni made his first appearance in the Gold Cup, having served his red card suspension from last year's World Cup. It also marked the return of Clint Dempsey to his old stadium in Foxboro, MA where he played for the New England Revolution.

First Half

- Landon Donovan had the first great chance for the U.S. as his header in the sixth minute went inches wide of the far post.

- The game almost had a fairy-tale beginning as former Revolution player Dempsey made the most of a defensive mistake only to see his first-time shot hit the post.

- The trend of poor finishing the team has displayed all tournament was evident early on as DaMarcus Beasley rocketed two solid opportunities well over the cross-bar.

- DMB made up for it however in the 34th minute when he expertly buried a shot in the right hand corner of the net after the ball had been cleared to the top of the penalty box following a corner kick. GOLAZZO USA, 1-0.

- On the stroke of half-time a U.S. counterattack reaped rewards as the referee signaled a penalty kick after an El Salvador defender deflected a cross with his arm. Donovan stepped up to take the kick... the keeper made the save... and then Donovan put in the rebound... AND THEN the referee blew the whole play dead because the goalie had come off his line early. Donovan was given another opportunity and made no mistake the second time, putting the ball cleanly down the middle. GOLAZZO USA, 2-0.

Second Half

- Donovan subbed out at the half for Taylor Twellman, putting him at forward alongside his former teammate in New England, Dempsey. With Donovan out, the U.S. attack lagged for the majority of the half.

- With the arrival of Brian Ching on the field, the U.S. put Dempsey back in the midfield. The substitution paid dividends for Bradley in the 73rd minute when Ching set up Twellman with a perfect throughball which Twellman was able to knock past the 'keeper. Golazzo USA, 3-0.

- With the game in hand, the last twenty or so minutes featured free-flowing attacking play from both sides. Dempsey was able to wow the crowd with some nice footwork which ultimately led to another goal, Beasley's second, in the 89th minute. Golazzo USA, 4-0.

Impressions

- Getting the four goals was key. This game should have been 6-0, but after the struggles the U.S. has had finishing, 4-0 is just fine by me.

- I thought Michael Bradley played his worst game so far tonight. I have a feeling his dad (the coach) did too as he was subbed out in the second half. Too many poor passes went straight to the other team and he has a knack for fouling, especially when the majority of his tackles are sliding.

- Good work from Twellman and Ching. Both were subs, but both performed well and were dangerous. Ching had a blast from distance that went just over the bar and Twellman could have had a second goal just before the final whistle.

- Donovan is the man. Without Donovan this team just doesn't have the same spark.

Odds and Ends

- US Open Cup action on tonight... no upset from Central Florida. My local team crashed out 3-0 to Charleston. I'll have all the scores up tomorrow.

- You have got to love MLS reporters... especially this one from FSC. Have a good laugh.
- Beckham to miss most of Galaxy home matches this summer? Could be the case... more on that later as well.